Support structure for airflow temperature sensor and the method of using the same

A temperature sensing device for detecting breathing of a patient used in combination with a cannula having a cannula body an a pair of nasal prongs, the temperature sensing device comprising:

• a sensor body being contour for supporting the temperature sensing device on an upper lip of a patient and preventing undesired movement thereof;
• nasal first and second temperature sensors and an oral third temperature sensor being supported by the sensor body, and the sensor body spacing the first, the second and the third temperature sensors from skin of a patient, during use, so that a remote end of each of the first and the second temperature sensors is positionable adjacent a nasal cavity while the third temperature sensor is positionable adjacent a mouth of the patient for detecting breathing of the patient;
• and
• the sensor body having an interference fit with a holster of the cannula to facilitate releasable retention of the temperature sensing device by the cannula, and sensor body has a stop which prevents further insertion of the temperature sensing device into the holster of the cannula.

A method of using a temperature sensing device for detecting breathing of a patient, the temperature sensing device comprising a sensor body being contour for supporting the temperature sensing device on an upper lip of a patient and preventing undesired movement thereof;

• at least one temperature sensor being supported by the sensor body, and the sensor body spacing the at least one temperature sensor from skin of a patient, during use, so that a remote end of the at least one temperature sensor can be positioned adjacent at least one of a nasal cavity and a mouth of the patient for detecting breathing of the patient, the method comprising the steps of:
• placing the temperature sensing device on an upper lip of a patient during a sleep diagnostic session;
• the sensor body of the temperature sensing device preventing the temperature sensing device from contacting skin of the patient during the sleep diagnostic session;
• and
• detecting at least one breathing characteristic of the patient during the sleep diagnostic session.